Volvo V50 Model Years and History

There are few changes to either the S40 or V50 for 2011. It retains the distinctive floating center console, all the safety systems Volvo is famous for and the T5 turbocharged engine.

The Volvo S40 sedan and its V50 wagon counterpart get few changes for 2010, the most notable being the reintroduction of a 5-speed manual transmission as standard on S40 2.4i, while the T5 AWD gets a new 6-speed manual. The T5 FWD continues to come with a 5-speed automatic as standard.

The Volvo S40 sedan and its V50 wagon counterpart get a number of equipment revisions and trim changes for 2009. The S40 now comes in three trim levels: 2.4i, T5 R-Design and T5 AWD R-Design. It loses its manual transmission and is available only with 5-speed automatic. The 2.4i gets a moonroof as standard as well as a leather parking brake handle and Bluetooth hands-free connectivity. The previously optional Select Package is now standard equipment, and includes fog lights, six-disc CD changer, aluminum interior trim, SIRIUS satellite radio and 17-inch wheels. The V50 T5 model has been discontinued, leaving only the base 2.4i and T5 AWD R-Design. The 2.4i gets all the same changes as the S40 2.4i, while the upscale T5 AWD R-Design receives the same styling cues as its sedan counterpart. A moonroof and 17-inch wheels are also standard for 2009.

The Volvo S40 sedan and its V50 wagon counterpart get an updated appearance, along with a number of equipment revisions, for 2008. Both models get a redesigned front end, including new headlamps and a larger Volvo logo, a color coordinated rear bumper and moldings, and new bright trim in back. Inside there are larger door pockets, a redesigned center console area, and improved air vents, plus the clock has been repositioned to the audio display. Audio systems have been improved with a standard auxiliary input and MP3 capability. The sporty T5 model gets a bump in performance for 2008; it's now up to 227 horsepower, from 218, but it's no longer offered with a manual transmission. The lineup of wheels has also been revised to help give the models a new look. Standard on both the base 2.4i S40 and V50 are new 16-inch "Cursa" wheels, while a more flamboyant "Ceryx" design is offered on the performance-oriented T5 and new 17-inch designs are available on the V50. Options and option packages have also been completely revised for both models. The blind spot information system (BLIS) that has been offered on Volvo's larger models is now available as an option on the S40 and V50, and a new Dynaudio system is optional. On the V50, Gekko Green is a new color for the palette; Chameleon Blue replaces Brilliant Blue, and Electric Silver has been discontinued.

Volvo's compact S40 sedan and closely related V50 wagon get a streamlined array of options and packages for 2007, along with revised equipment and some new standard features. Volvo's dynamic stability traction control (DSTC) is now standard on all models, while sporty T5 models now get a standard five-speed Geartronic automatic transmission. A redesigned overhead console is now standard, Sirius satellite radio is a new option, and an auxiliary input and MP3 capability are now available. Other new options include Keyless Drive and a couple of distinctive 17-inch alloy wheel designs. A new Body Styling Package is available in all colors except Electric Silver, and there's also a new color, Titanium Grey, which replaces Flint Gray.